general adaptation syndrome
(noun)
This describes how a body reacts to a stressor, real or imagined, in the short term and long term.
Examples of general adaptation syndrome in the following topics:
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The Resistance Reaction
- Resistance is the second stage of the general adaptation syndrome, where the body has an increased capacity to respond to the stressor.
- Although the body begins to try to adapt to the strains or demands of the environment, the body cannot keep this up indefinitely, so its resources are gradually depleted.
- Resistance reaction is the second stage of the general adaptation syndrome and is characterized by a heightened resistance to a stressor.
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Exhaustion
- Although the body begins to try to adapt to the strains or demands of the environment, the body cannot keep this up indefinitely, so its resources are gradually depleted.
- Exhaustion is the third and final stage in the general adaptation syndrome model.
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Intellectual Disabilities
- Intellectual disabilities are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning.
- An intellectual disability is a generalized neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning.
- Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome are examples of syndromic intellectual disabilities.
- In general, people with intellectual disability have an IQ below 70, but the diagnosis may also apply to individuals who have a somewhat higher IQ but severe impairment in adaptive functioning.
- The most prevalent genetic conditions include Down syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, fragile X syndrome (common among boys), neurofibromatosis, congenital hypothyroidism, Williams syndrome, phenylketonuria (PKU), and Prader-Willi syndrome.
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Down Syndrome
- Down syndrome or Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21.
- In general, this leads to an over expression of the genes.
- This is the cause of 1–2% of the observed Down syndromes.
- Translocation Down syndrome is often referred to as familial Down syndrome.
- Many standard prenatal screens can discover Down syndrome.
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Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
- Generally, the symptoms and signs that lead to the diagnosis of an immunodeficiency include recurrent or persistent infections, or developmental delay as a result of infection.
- In genetic immunodeficiency disorders, both T lymphocytes and often B lymphocytes—regulators of adaptive immunity—are dysfunctional or decreased in number.
- These proteins, generated by plasma cells, normally bind to pathogens, targeting them for destruction.
- Immunodeficiency with hypopigmentation or albinism; for example, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, Griscelli syndrome type two
- Many manifest themselves as periodic fever syndromes.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is the most common persistent fatigue syndrome that affects people.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders.
- Generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months in adults (and 3 months in children/adolescents), not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially relieved by rest, and not caused by other medical conditions.
- The disorder may also be referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), or several other terms.
- An Australian prospective study found that after infection by viral and non-viral pathogens, a sub-set of individuals met the criteria for CFS, with the researchers concluding that "post-infective fatigue syndrome is a valid illness model for investigating one pathophysiological pathway to CFS".
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Intellectual Disabilities
- An intellectual disability is a significant limitation in an individual's cognitive functioning and daily adaptive behaviors.
- An intellectual disability is a significant limitation in an individual's cognitive functioning and daily adaptive behaviors.
- Among the common causes of intellectual disabilities are fetal alcohol syndrome and Down syndrome; other contributing factors include certain genetic disorders and exposures to environmental toxins.
- The average full-scale IQ of young adults with Down syndrome is around 50.
- Education and proper care have been shown to improve quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome.
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Acute Radiation Damage
- Acute radiation syndrome or damage describes health effects present within 24 hours of exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation.
- Treatment of acute radiation syndrome is generally supportive with blood transfusions and antibiotics.
- Similar symptoms may appear months to years after exposure as chronic radiation syndrome when the dose rate is too low to cause the acute form.
- These diseases are sometimes referred to as radiation sickness, but they are never included in the term acute radiation syndrome.
- A photograph of an 11-year-old girl, who was 2 kilometers away from the Hiroshima bombing site, recovering from acute radiation syndrome.
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Sjögren's Syndrome
- Sjögren's syndrome, also known as "Mikulicz disease" and "Sicca syndrome," is a systemic autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva.
- The hallmark symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth.
- Sjögren's syndrome can exist as a disorder in its own right, as primary Sjögren's syndrome, or may develop years after the onset of another autoimmune rheumatic disorder, as secondary Sjögren's syndrome.
- Producing less than five millimeters of liquid is usually indicative of Sjögren's syndrome.
- Instead, treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive.
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Edema Caused by Loss of Plasma Proteins
- The nephrotic syndrome usually results in the excretion of about 3.0 to 3.5 grams per 24 hours.
- By contrast, in nephritic syndrome RBCs pass through the pores, causing hematuria.
- It is characterized by proteinuria (>3.5g/day), hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema (which is generalized and also known as anasarca or dropsy).
- Nephrotic syndrome is often classified histologically.
- The prognosis depends on the cause of nephrotic syndrome.